The Hoops Market

Friday, August 27, 2010

The Hoops Market has its own website: www.thehoopsmarket.com. This blog will be online during the next weeks for everyone who wants to check the old news, but all the actuality of the orange ball world will continue in the new website.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

The Shandong Flaming Bulls has found a replacement for the former head coach, XiaoBin Gong. Bob Weiss, in charge of Shanxi Zhongyu since 2008, will take the reign of the Chinese team next season. Shandong will be the second team in China for the 58-year-old American coach, who has also worked as a head coach for several NBA franchises during his career.

Despite the interest of Regal Barcelona, Carlos Suárez will only leave Asefa Estudiantes to play in the other team of the city, Real Madrid, which has already made an offer for the 24-year-old forward. Estudiantes has now to decide whether to accept the offer from Real Madrid this summer, or keep the player one more year and accept his free leaving at the end of the next season.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

As expected, Sean Williams will play next season in Israel. The 23-year-old American forward, who played during two seasons and a half for the New Jersey Nets, has agreed to a deal with Hapoel Jerusalem, and is expected to sign the contract during the next days. The last team of Williams, after playing in China, was the Mets de Guaynabo, in Puerto Rico.

Partizan is tracking the market for new impornt signings, and could have two rookie players on the radar. The main candidates to land in the Serbian team would be Gerald Lee and Jerome Dyson. Lee, a 22-year-old Finish-American forward, averaged 14.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game during his senior year with the University of Old Dominion, and is also a member of the Finnish national team. Dyson will also start his professional career next season after four years in the University of Connecticut. In the last one, the 23-year-old American guard averaged 17.2 points and 4.2 assists per game.

Asseco Prokom has announced two signings for the next season: Mike Wilks and Denham Brown. Wilks moves to Europe after appearing in three games last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, before being released on December by the NBA franchise. The 30-year-old American guard also played shortly during the 2007-08 season for Montepaschi Siena. The other new import signing of the current Polish champion is, as expected, Denham Brown, a 27-year-old Canadian forwar who finished last season in the Philippines with the Barangay Ginebra Kings.

As expected, Jordi Trias is a new member of DKV Joventut. The Spanish team has officially announced the signing to a four-year contract of the 29-year-old forward. Trias recently parted ways with his club since 2004, Regal Barcelona, where he averaged 2.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game during the last ACB league.

Panionios is tracking the market for import signings. The Greek team would be already interested in Leon Williams and Matt Bouldin for the next season. Williams has played during the last two seasons in Turkey, where the 24-year-old American center averaged 15.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game for Erdemispor during the 2009-10 TBL. Boudin, a 22-year-old American guard, is looking for his first professional contract after playing during the last four seasons for the University of Gonzaga, avaraging 15.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game during his senior year.

After starting his professional career in Spain last season, Anthony Smith moves to Germany. The Giessen 46ers have announced the signing of the 23-year-old American guard for the next season. Smith arrives to his new team after averaging 14.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in the last LEB Oro for CB Cornellà.

Air Avellino has officially announced the signing of a young prospect. Merab Bokolishvili is the new player of the Italian team. The 17-year-old Georgian guard, member of the U18 national team, will play for the first time outside his country. Last season, he played for Samedicino.

As expected, Jamon Lucas will play next season for Olympiakos.`The Greek team has officially announced the signing of the 26-year-old American guard, who played last season for Maroussi BC. Lucas averaged 9.8 points and 4.1 assists per game in the 2009-10 Greek A1 league.

Goran Jagodnik will continue his long career in Union Olimpija. The Slovenian team has officially announced the signing of the 36-year-old forward for the next season. Jagodnik, who started playing as a professional in the 1991-92 season, averaged 10.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in the last Adriatic League for Hemofarm.

Elishay Kadir, signed by Maccabi Tel Aviv two months ago, could leave the Israeli team without playing a single minute. The 22-year-old forward failed to pass the physical test due to an injury in his knees, and Maccabi is considering to release the former player of Galil Gilboa. Kadir could be already negotiating with Hapoel Jerusalem in case he leaves Maccabi.

As expected, Hrvoje Peric is already a member of Unicaja. The Spanish team signed the 24-year-old Croatian forward, who averaged 11.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game during the last Adriatic League for KK Zadar, to a three-year contract. Peric, though, won't play next season for Unicaja, and will be send on loan to another European team. Benetton Treviso could be one of his options.

Despite the interest of Kavala and Panionios to land Giannis Tsairelis, the 22-year-old center could finally stay next season in Aris Thesslaoniki. Tsairelis, who played last season on loan for Trikala 2000, averaging 4.0 rebounds and 1.9 rebounds per game in the Greek A1 league, would have convinced Sharon Drucker to stay in the roster, though he can be required to reduce his salary.

Mateo Kedzo could continue his career in the Spanish LEB Oro. Sant Josep Girona is close to sign the 25-year-old Croatian forward for the next season. Kedzo would arrive to his new team after finishing last season in Latvia with BK Ventspils, averaging 13.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in the Baltic League.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Qyntel Woods could finally move to Russia next season. Unics Kazan has made an important offer to the 29-year-old forward, who has played for Asseco Prokom during the last season and a half. His replacement in the Polish club could be Denham Brown. The 27-year-old forward, member of the Canadian national team, finished last season in the Philippines for Barangay Ginebra Kings, averaging 19.4 points and 14.2 rebounds in five games, and could be close to become a new member of Asseco Prokom.

Aris Thessaloniki has officially announced a verbal agreement with P.J. Tucker, who will be signed to a two-year contract by the Greek club. The 25-year-old American forward will continue his career in Greece after finishing last season in Bnei Hasharon, averaging 17.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in the Israeli Premier League.

Anthony Johnson could start his career in Greece. Peristeri is close to signing the 24-year-old American guard, who has played during the last two seasons for the University of Montana. In his last year, Johnson averaged 19.2 points and 3.0 assists per game for the Grizzlies.

Sarunas Jasikevicius won't go back to Panathinaikos after three seasons in the Greek team. The veteran 34-year-old Lithuanian guard, who was on the radar of Maccabi Tel Aviv during the last days, could have also attracted the interest of Zalgiris Kaunas, which could bring Jasikevicius back to his country. The former NBA player would be considering the idea of playing for the Lithuanian team.

Primoz Brezec is a free agent after his contract with the Milwaukee Bucks expired. The 30-year-old Slovenian center is expecting an offer to stay in the NBA, but could also consider offers to go back to Europe. In that case, Brezec, who averaged 1.4 points and 1.0 rebouns per game for the Bucks last season, would wish to play in Spain

Rawle Marshall will continue his career in Greece. PAOK Thessaloniki has officially announced the signing for the next season of the 27-year-old American forward. Marshall arrives to his new team after finishing last season in France, averaging 9.5 points and 2.7 rebounds per game in the LNB Pro A league for ASVEL Villeurbanne.

Pepinster has inked the second American guard in two days. The Belgian team has officially announced the signing of Jovan "Wink" Adams, who will be back to Europe after finishing last season in the Tulsa 66ers. The 25-year-old American guard, who started his professional career in Turkey with Oyak Renault, averaged 7.2 points and 3.6 assists per game in the last D-League.

Dimos Dikoudis is attracting the interest of several Greek teams after being released by Aris Thessaloniki weeks ago. Besides Maroussi BC and AEK Athens, now Iraklis has also contact the veteran 33-year-old center for the next season. Dikoudis averaged 5.9 points and 3.2 rebounds per game for Aris during the last A1 league.

Just three weeks after being signed by the Giessen 46ers, Walker Russell was released by the German team. The 27-year-old American guard didn't pass the try-out with the 46ers and is now a free agent. Russell landed in Giessen after finishing last season in Puerto Rico with the Piratas de Quebradillas.

Another new player for Kavala. The Greek team has officially announced the signing for the next season of Vassilis Simtsak. The 29-year-old forward arrives to his new team after playing last season for Trikala 2000, where he averaged 5.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game in the last Greek A1 league.

Olin Gençlik has reached an agreement Predrag Samardziski for the next season. The 24-year-old Macedonian center moves to the recently promoted Turkish team after playing during the last five seasons in Serbia for FMP Zeleznik. Samardziski, one of the best players of the Macedonian national team, averaged 6.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in the last Adriatic League.

Jeremy Pargo will finally be the replacement of Mikhail Torrance in Maccabi Tel Aviv. Both partes are close to reach a one-year, $250.000 agreement, according to the Israeli media. The 24-year-old American guard will continue his career in Israel, after helping Galil Gilboa to win the Premier league last season averaging 14.1 points and 4.5 assists per game.

Bryce Taylor will continue his career in Alba Berlin. The German team has officially announced the signing to a one-year contract (with an early termination option after two months) of the 23-year-old American guard. Taylor arrived last season to Germany to play for Telekom Bonn, where he averaged 12.5 points and 2.6 rebounds per game in the BBL.

Mile Ilic could be back to one of his first teams as a professional. FMP Zeleznik, where Ilic played during the 2002-03 season, is close to signing the 26-year-old center, who finished last season in Metalac. The former NBA player averaged 10.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in the last Serbian Super League.

Josh Carter will continue his professional career in Israel. Maccabi Ashdod has officially announced the signing of the 21-year-old American guard, who started his professional career last season in EWE Baskets Oldenburg. In the 2009-10 BBL, Carter averaged 7.7 points and 2.0 rebounds per game for the German team.

Another rookie player for Ilisiakos. The Greek club has officially announced the signing of David Weaver to a one-year contract. The 22-year-old American center arrives to his new team after averaging 2.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per game during his senior year for the University of Wake Forest.

The promising 18-year-old Serbian forward Djordje Drenovac will continue his career in Italy. Lottomatica Roma has reached an agreement with Drenovac, according to the Serbain media. The forward has played during the last two seasons in Austria for Arkadia Traiskirchen Lions, averaging 8.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in the last Bundesliga.

Mustafa Shakur will have another chance in the NBA. The New Orleans Hornets have signed the 26-year-old guard, who finished last season in the Oklahoma City Thunder without appearing in a single game. Shakur also played for the Tulsa 66ers during the 2009-10 season, averaging 19.0 points, 6.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game in the last D-League.

CB Granada is currently in talks with Unicaja for Paulo Prestes, and the 22-year-old Brazilian center could be close to be loaned to CB Granada next season. Prestes, selected with the 45th overall pick in the last NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, will join his new team after playing last season, also on loan, for CB Murcia.

Eddie Ard is the new signing of the Düsseldorf Giants. The German team has landed the 25-year-old American guard, who is back to Europe after a brief two-game stint in Ukraine. Ard, who finished last season in the Franklin Knights, from the American minor league WBA, also appeared in two games with BC Hoverla last January.

The Houston Rockets have officially announced the signing of Ishmael Smith to a multi-year contract. The 22-year-old guard is an undrafted rookie after playing during the last four seasons for the University of Wake Forest, where he averaged 13.2 points, 6.0 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game during his senior year.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Jerome Jordan hasn't received an offer from the New York Knicks, the franchise that holds his NBA rights, and will finally start his professional career in Serbia. Hemofarm will be the next team for the 23-year-old Jamaican center, who averaged 15.4 points and 9.1 rebounds per game during his senior year with the University of Tulsa.

Kwame Brown will continue his career in the Charlotte Bobcats. The NBA franchise has signed the 28-year-old center to a one-year contract. Brown, a former No.1 overall draft pick, was a free agent after two years in the Detroit Pistons, averaging 3.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game last season.

DeMarcus Nelson will continue his career in France. The current champion of the LNB ProA league, Cholet Basket, has announced the signing of the 25-year-old American guard to a one-year contract. Nelson, a former player of the Golden State Warriors, played last season in Italy for Air Avellino, averaging 8.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in the Lega A.

J.K. Edwards, who was recently on the radar of Aris Thessaloniki, will finally play next season in Ukraine, according to the French media. The 26-year-old American forward, who has played during his entire career as professional in France, has accepted an offer from BC Donetsk. In the last LNB, Edwards averaged 14.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game for Gravelines Dunkerque, his team since 2008.

Jeremy Pargo has emerged as a more economic option than Sarunas Jasikevicius to replace Mikhail Torrance, currently recovering from a collapse during a practice, in the roster of Maccabi Tel Aviv for the next season. The 24-year-old American guard started his professional career last season in Israel, helping Galil Gilboa to win the national league.

Obi Muonelo will start his professional career. EWE Baskets Oldenburg has offically announced the signing to a one-year contract of the 20-year-old Nigerian guard. Muonelo arrives to his new team after playing during the last four seasons for the University of Oklahoma State, averaging 13.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game during his senior year.

Goran Dragic doesn't want to be back to Europe until he considers his NBA career is over. The 24-year-old Slovenian guard, currently playing for the Phoenix Suns, told via email that it was a misunderstanding, and that he wanted to say that he would only be back to Europe to end his career as a professional basketball player.

After missing the second half of the last season due to an injury, Gerrit Major will play next season for Pepinster. The Belgian team has signed the 30-year-old guard, who played just nine games last season for Spirou Charleroi, averaging 1.6 points and 1.4 assists per game.

After playing during the last season and a half in the Italian LegaDue for Umana Reyer, Kristaps Janicenoks is back to Latvia. VEF Riga has announced the signing of the 27-year-old forward. Janicenoks arrives to his new team after averaging 14.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in the last LegaDue.

BC Siauliai has landed another prospect. The Lithuanian team has officially announced the signing to a multi-year contract of Roman Gomenyuk. The 22-year-old Ukrainian center played last season in his country for BC Kyiv and BC Odessa, appearing in just nine games during the Super League.

Ben Jacobson will become the new import signing of Ikaros Esperos. The recently promoted Greek team is close to land the 26-year-old American guard for the next season. Jacobson has played during the last three seasons for BG Göttingen, averaging 8.7 points and 3.2 assists per game in the 2009-10 BBL.

Blaz Cesnar will continue his career in the Baltic League. Nevezis has signed the 24-year-old Slovenian center, who played last season for Valmiera. Cesnar averaged 12.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in the 2009-10 Baltic League for the Latvian team, being one of the best centers of the competition.

As expected, Mamadou Samb is officially a member of CB Granada. The Spanish club has announced the signing to a four-year contract (with an early termination option in the second year) of the 20-year Senegalese-Spanish center. Samb will play next season in the ACB league after averaging 12.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in the LEB Oro for CB Cornellà, the affiliated team of Regal Barcelona.